Buckeye Central partners with GE on Outdoor Learning Lab

NEW WASHINGTON — Buckeye Central Local School District is pleased to announce a partnership with GE Lighting’s Bucyrus Lamp Plant and The Community Foundation for Crawford County (CF4CC) to build and develop an Outdoor Learning Lab on the New Washington-based school campus.

Approximately 40 volunteers from GE’s Bucyrus plant will descend upon the campus this weekend to construct a 24’ X 40’ red and gray pavilion to house teachers and students during the school day, accommodating outdoor learning.

The facility will also be available for community members to enjoy exercise and nature education, especially when Crawford Park District partners with the school to establish nature trails in the 10.5 acres woods on site, expanding the existing cross country trails. Observation sites will be created to allow students and community members alike to enjoy an outdoor environment in which to experience, learn about and appreciate nature.

Students in Buckeye Central’s seventh and eighth grade science classes have written grants totaling more than $36,000 to begin this project. The Outdoor Learning Lab will be included in the middle school science curriculum as part of an annual problem-based learning unit. Science teacher, Marianne Williamson says, “In this type of learning, students are exposed to real-world situations and respond to the dynamic changes occurring. This year they will be assessing the center’s initial construction and impact on the local environment, considering a maintenance plan for the site, and establishing learning stations to teach students and the community about nature, close to home. “

CF4CC outgoing president, Janet Pry, says “The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to be a partner in this effort. The fact that the students have been involved throughout the planning, grant writing and construction phase makes this project that much more meaningful to them and will set them on a path of lifelong learning.”